For a certain generation at least, the phrase ‘time capsule’ conjures images of Blue Peter presenters in wellies burying a box filled with a Rubik’s cube, a copy of Adrian Mole and a Rick Astley cd so that future generations can learn that mainstream entertainment in the eighties wasn’t quite as piss-poor as it is now. With the exception of Rick Astley obviously. The Odyssey – A Northern Soul Time-Capsule however, aims to capture the essence of an even earlier decade by being the last word in memorabilia for an underground reaction to mainstream music: northern soul. Content includes 2 documentary dvds (one of which contains interviews with Richard Searling, John Anderson and Kenny Gamble), a 160 page booklet out together by Glen Gunton and Jaffa and over 10 hours of music (230 re-mastered tracks) compiled by Ian Dewhirst according to venue and decade starting with The Twisted Wheel-era and ending with Weekenders-era. On cd. Admittedly 230 remastered cuts on vinyl would make it rather a bulky time capsule. How long before a limited box set of vinyl selected from these 230 tracks? I give it six months…
(Out 16 February on Harmless Records)